1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fiery
marked by a lively display of strong feeling
a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mettlesome
He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands.
—
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
Adjective
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Raja’s energetic narration is relentlessly funny, even (or especially) when it’s turned to dark or disturbing events from his past.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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But Isaacman has also garnered broad support within the commercial space industry, where he’s perceived as an energetic outsider ready to usher NASA into a new era.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Search for answers continues following UPS plane crash As the community in Louisville, Kentucky, mourns those killed in a fiery United Parcel Service cargo plane crash, authorities warned that answers for family members may still be a way off.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it, confronting family, identity, and a relationship that becomes life-or-death.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But, because animated films can take a long time to complete, the movie isn’t expected to release until 2029.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
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Awards were given out across 33 categories, with winners in the narrative, documentary, and animated shorts categories achieving Oscar eligibility.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Miley Cyrus After winning the first two Grammys of her nearly 20-year-career in February and igniting the ceremony with the most spirited performance of the night, Cyrus seemed destined to become a permanent fixture on the nominations chart.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Protecting her peace proved more difficult, however, when the Queen of Rap began firing off increasingly mean-spirited posts about her on X this past summer.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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My appetite for more Lee is low, but Harjo’s Tulsa — cynical and lively at the same time — simmers with more to say.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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Lomax not only wrote the song but also stars in the commercial, which portrays him enjoying the Biggie Bag combo meal, a scene that turns into a lively celebration of music and food.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The movie saw Fraser as treasure hunter who travels to Egypt in the 1920s with a spunky librarian, played by Weisz, only to accidentally awaken a supernaturally powerful high priest.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
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The restaurant now has a spunky logo and a front patio.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In his work, everything is animate, everything has a soul, everything has a story.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
8 Oct. 2025
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In his account of an Essex owl evening, all senses seem to merge, and all distinction between animate and inanimate disappears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With more than 33 billion plays and one of the most passionate fanbases on the Roblox platform, Grow a Garden is a game where players cultivate thriving gardens, trade crops, decorate worlds, and collaborate in seasonal events.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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Both are impeccably made and performed and will have passionate supporters.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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